COST EXCESSIVE?

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 33, 8 February 1934, Page 9

COST EXCESSIVE?

WAITANGI DOMAIN. EXPENSE OF CELEBRATIONS. FARMERS' TJIIION PROTEST. The large expenditure involved by the Waitangi celebrations was the subject of strong condemnation by members of the executive of the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union at their meeting last evening. Members considered that the Government could have spent the money to iniull better advantage on main highways and other essential public works. The road that had been made at Waitangi was far too expensive, considering that it did not open up any land, but was for tourist purposes. ■ A few of the expenses incurred by the Government were referred to by the secretary, Mr. A. E. Robinson. "The sum 'of £5350 was provided ill the Supplementary Estimates for the Maori entertainment," he said, "and a further £6'ooo for river protection. In addition, the wages of a chretaker will have to be paid. Golf link-; are proposed, mainly for the use of residents at Paihia, and their upkeep will involve more expense. These are only ■) few of the items of expenditure incurred."

Elaborate Bridge. Mr. J. W. Jones, who lives near Waitangi, at Pakaraka, said that for years residents who had no road communication had endeavoured to have some sort of inexpensive bridge erected, but nothing had been done. Now an elaborate bridge had been built at the mouth of the tidal river, in such a position as to be no use to the settlers, who urgently needed a bridge higher up the river. It would also block the river for navigation. "It is to be deplored," said Mr. Jones, "that pleasure has not been to some email extent combined with business and utility. The present bridge will be used only by a few tourists, while a large number of farmers in the district will continue to be handicapped by a lack of road communication."

The meeting unanimously carried tlie following resolution: "Tliat, while this executive appreciates the action of the Oovornor-Geiiernl. Lord Bledisloc, in presenting the site of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi to the nation, it protests against the unnecessarily lavish expenditure upon the Waitangi celehrations at a time when the Government is complaining of a shortage of funds for many necessary purposes."